Effect of Finite-Ion-Banana-Width on the Polarization Contribution to the Neoclassical Tearing Modes Evolution

Abstract

In the previous analytical description of the neoclassical polarization current effect on the neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs), it is usually assumed that the magnetic island is much larger than the finite-ion-banana-width (FBW). This assumption is questionable when the experimentally observed seed island width of the NTMs is comparable to the FBW. We introduce a simple and direct theoretical method to investigate the FBW effect on the neoclassical polarization contribution to the NTM evolution in collisional plasmas. The results show that, the FBW effect can strongly modify the neoclassical polarization current profile near the island separatrix, and thus weaken its probably stabilizing effect on the NTMs.